The Conch Connection

A brick fortress, a rocky beach, tropical fish, shady picnic tables and one seriously good sunset spot—all in the same park? That is Fort Zachary Taylor.

Tucked away near Old Town and the Truman Annex, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is the kind of place where a quick visit can easily turn into most of the day. One minute you are wandering through Civil War-era passageways. The next, you are pulling on a snorkel mask, watching birds along the shoreline or settling into the shade with something cold to drink.

It is also an easy adventure for travelers arriving from Fort Myers Beach aboard Key West Express. The park is about 1.8 miles from the ferry terminal, so you can get there by taxi, rideshare or bicycle—or make the roughly 35-minute walk part of the experience.

Take a quick look at the Key West Express Fort Zachary Taylor guide, check the latest details on the official Florida State Parks page, and get ready for a day that can be as active—or as wonderfully lazy—as you want.

 Few people are more closely associated with Key West than Ernest Hemingway. Long before the island became one of America's most popular tropical destinations, Hemingway helped put Key West on the map through his writing, adventurous lifestyle, and deep connection to the island. 

See More of Key West at Island Pace

Key West rewards travelers who slow down. A bicycle lets you move easily between the historic waterfront, quiet Old Town streets, colorful architecture, parks and beaches while still noticing the details that disappear through a car window.

For travelers arriving from Fort Myers Beach aboard Key West Express, a bike tour is also a natural fit. The ferry terminal is near the Historic Seaport, giving you a convenient starting point for either a guided tour or an independent ride. With a thoughtful route and enough time for stops, bicycling can become more than transportation—it can be one of the best experiences of the trip.

Grab the kids and getaway!

Here in Florida, anytime is the time to plan a vacation.  Key West is the ideal getaway filled with activities and adventure to make smiles and memories for any and everyone!

Every March, Key West trades a little of its tropical color for shamrock green. The island's original St. Patrick's Day Bar Stroll is not a newly invented pub crawl or a generic ticketed party dropped into Old Town. It is a homegrown Key West tradition with roots stretching back to 1979, a collectible shirt, a changing route and more than four decades of stories.

For visitors from Southwest Florida, Key West Express makes it possible to begin the celebration with a Gulf crossing instead of a long drive. Because the stroll continues into the afternoon and participating venues change from year to year, an overnight stay is the most relaxed way to enjoy it without watching the clock.

With all the different options that  you have for a Key West Vacation, what should you do and see on your trip to paradise?

Mel Fisher and the Treasure of the Atocha

There really was gold in the waters off Key West—and finding it became one of the most famous treasure-hunting stories in history.

For 16 years, Mel Fisher and his crew searched the waters of the Florida Keys for the wreck of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha. Fisher kept the team motivated with his now-famous declaration: “Today’s the day!” On July 20, 1985, those words finally came true when the crew discovered the ship’s long-lost main cargo hold.

Fort Zachary Taylor is one of those Key West places that can surprise you twice. First, there is the setting: a massive brick fort tucked beside one of the island’s favorite beaches. Then there is the history. Behind those shaded archways and weathered walls is a story of military strategy, Union-held Key West and cannons that spent decades buried inside the fort itself.

Today, “Fort Zach” is an easy place to mix a little time travel with a relaxed afternoon by the water. You can wander through old gun rooms, stand beside historic artillery and then trade the brick corridors for snorkeling, swimming or a picnic beneath the trees. That combination makes it much more than a stop for dedicated history buffs.

Five days. Five continents. A collection of chefs, winemakers, artists and unforgettable Key West settings.

The Key West Food & Wine Festival returns January 27–31, 2027, with intimate dinners, wine experiences, tastings and special events held at locations across the island. Now celebrating its 18th edition, the festival turns Key West into a culinary journey where the setting is just as memorable as what is poured and served.

The 2027 theme, “Connected by the Oceans,” explores how water has carried ingredients, cooking traditions, wine culture and human stories between continents. It is an especially fitting idea for Key West, an island shaped by the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf and generations of cultural exchange.

If you are thinking about attending, this guide covers the dates, theme, announced events, venues, ticket information and practical tips for planning a delicious winter getaway.

Celebrate your romance with Seashells, Sunshine & Sand.   Some people dream of this day forever and should be one of the most memorable moments of your life.  Whether your dream wedding includes
glistening tropical waters with sand between your toes, sophisticated sunset elegance at a five-star resort or anything in between, America's Caribbean Island Paradise offering year round weather, breathtaking water views and an abundant array of options will make your special day exactly as you imagine. Make memories at  Smather’s beach, Higg’s beach, Fort Zachary Taylor historic state park or the gazebo overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at West Martello Tower & Gardens. 

Photo Credit: HemingwayHomeEvents via Instagram by @irismoorephoto

You can even forgo the traditional wedding and broadcast your nuptials digitally, as some have taken to social media to live-stream their wedding, for those that are far and away and could not attend personally.  Not only can you invite and and everyone, you want, but you'll also have virtual remembrance as well.